Hark! Heralding Realty Industry Good Deeds

December 22, 1996|By Steve Kerch.

It isn't often that we speak with overt kindness of our Realtors and our home builders. More likely we're railing against a 6 percent commission that doesn't seem justifiably earned or hollering that all the items on our punch list have not been properly attended to.

But this is the season of peace on Earth, so it's not such a stretch to find good things to say about those in the realty industry.

The fact is, Realtors and home builders have gotten a bad rap when it comes to image. For the most part, they give back to the community as much, if not more, than they take from it. It's just that most of those good deeds go unpublished. Until now.

- Developer Dan McLean donated the land for a new Chicago Public Library branch at Division and Orleans Streets, within the city's redevelopment area for Cabrini-Green. Plus, McLean has pledged $100 from each sale at his Mohawk North, Old Town Square and Altgeld Club projects to fund book purchases for the library.

- The Home Builders Association of Lake County is sponsoring the construction of a home in the Ivanhoe Estates community, the proceeds from which will be donated to area charities. The group expects more than $100,000 to go to Childrens Memorial Hospital, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Parkside Foundation and Omni House.

- Industrial real estate powers got together for a fundraiser to benefit one of the area's first Early Head Start programs. "An Industrial Strength Football Bash" provided money to renovate a West Side building for the infant and toddler program.

- The Alter Group, a developer known for its suburban industrial projects, is a sponsor of City Year Chicago, a national service program that unites young people age 17 to 23 from diverse backgrounds for a year of full-time service in revitalizing neighborhoods. This year, the Alter Group supported 10 City Year members.

- A number of real estate firms, including Beliard, Gordon & Partners, donated money and labor to build 20 new homes on a West Side block formerly occupied by rundown buildings in a project directed by Uptown Habitat for Humanity. The Chicago Association of Realtors, in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Realtors, raised more than $50,000 for the effort.

It should be noted also that real estate interests in the city and Cook County already have given home buyers and sellers a tremendous holiday gift.

In no small part through their lobbying, Cook County Board Chairman John Stroger was convinced to drop a plan to multiply by 15 times the county transfer tax on real estate sales. On a $150,000 home sale, the proposed increase would have added a whopping $1,050 extra due at closing.

Now it's time for us to reciprocate with our own contributions. Let's not allow the real estate industry to put us to shame.

There's no better way to do our part than by contributing to the Chicago Tribune Holiday Fund. Among many other good works, the fund last year supported 40 agencies that provide shelter and aid to the homeless or transitional housing for a variety of people in need, including victims of domestic violence and child abuse or those living with AIDS or other disabilities.

Just remember: Our homes are worth a whole lot more when they're part of a community that cares.